Groundswell is one of those Hallmark movies that sneaks up on you. You settle in expecting a pleasant little escape, and suddenly you’re watching a film that actually understands how to use its setting, its cast, and its emotional beats without drowning everything in syrup. Emma (Lacey Chabert), a chef whose life collapses in record time, flees to Hawai‘i to regroup, and the movie immediately shifts into a calmer, more confident register. Chabert brings this grounded, quietly funny energy that makes her feel like a real adult who’s genuinely tired of everyone’s nonsense. It’s refreshing.
Then there’s Ben (Ektor Rivera), the surf instructor with a past that hangs around him like a shadow he’s learned to live with. Rivera plays him with a steady, unforced presence—no brooding, no swagger, just a man who knows the ocean better than he knows how to talk about his feelings. Their dynamic works because it’s patient. No forced banter, no contrived pratfalls, just two people learning how to breathe again. Even the supporting cast, especially Tracy Yamamoto, feels like they actually live on the island instead of being flown in to say “Aloha” once and vanish.
The Hawaiian locations do a frankly unfair amount of heavy lifting. This isn’t “Vancouver in a floral shirt.” This is O‘ahu—Kualoa Ranch, Honolulu, beaches that look like they were painted by someone who got a little too enthusiastic with the saturation slider. The ocean isn’t a backdrop; it’s a mood. When the waves shift, the story shifts. The whole film radiates presence, like it knows it’s beautiful and isn’t going to apologize for it.
The best scene lands right in the middle of the movie, when Emma finally catches her first real wave. It’s not played for slapstick or triumph‑horn fanfare. Instead, the camera hangs back and lets the moment breathe. You see her wobble, correct, commit, and then—just for a few seconds—stand fully in her own power. Ben watches from the water, not cheering, not coaching, just witnessing. It’s the kind of scene Hallmark usually rushes through, but here it’s allowed to matter. It’s the emotional thesis of the whole film: you don’t fix your life in one grand gesture; you find balance one shaky second at a time.
Groundswell keeps surprising you in the best ways. Emma’s journey already has emotional weight, the Hawaiian setting already hums with presence, and the chemistry between Lacey Chabert and Ektor Rivera already feels lived‑in—but the behind‑the‑scenes reality adds another layer. Chabert did some light surfing for authenticity, enough to sell the close‑ups, but the real wave‑riding came from her stunt double, Emily Luke, who handled the technical work with the kind of ease that makes the ocean look like a cooperative scene partner. Rivera also relied on a double for the more demanding shots, and the production blended everything with smart framing and clean editing. Instead of feeling like a cheat, it actually reinforces the film’s whole ethos: balance is earned, not faked. Director Lee Friedlander and writer John Eliot Jordan lean into that honesty, letting the stunt work support the story rather than distract from it. The result is a movie that respects both the craft and the audience, which is rarer than it should be in this genre.
Groundswell works because it trusts its cast, its setting, and its quieter emotional beats. It’s sun‑drenched, confident, and unexpectedly sincere, with surfing sequences that look legit and a story that moves with the rhythm of the tide. This one is worth it. You can stream it on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark+.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 84 mins
Director: Lee Friedlander
Writer: John Eliot Jordan; Carlie Mantilla-Jordan; Heather Maidat
Cast: Lacey Chabert; Ektor Rivera; Tracy Yamamoto
Genre: Comedy | Romance
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "You are just another line cook"
Distributor: Hallmark +
Official Site:
Release Date: August 21, 2022
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Emma, a chef, travels to Hawai'i and meets a surf instructor whose lessons help her to regain her footing on the heels of a personal and professional setback.
